When I read about Luther Burrell, the former England rugby player who bravely spoke out about the racism he experienced only to see his career crumble, it hit something deep inside me. Because I know that feeling. I’ve lived it.

As someone who has spent years working in racial equity, I’ve seen how the moment you speak out – whether in a boardroom, a meeting, or a public space – everything changes. The air shifts. People look away. You’re labelled as difficult, defensive, or divisive. The fear that comes after truth telling is real. The silence that follows is even louder.

Burrell said he faced racist jokes, “banter”, and comments that were brushed off as harmless. When he finally found the courage to call it out, he was labelled as disruptive, his name dragged through the mud. Since t

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